Are you interested in learning about the value of items you own and/or selling the  property with Clars Auction Gallery? Clars Auction Gallery has produced record selling prices for a wide variety of items. Clars’ appraisers have many years of experience evaluating fine property in a wide variety of fields.

Clars offers several options for Appraisals and for Placing Items in the Auctions. Most property at Clars Auction Gallery is sold on consignment, for which the auction house receives a commission, but occasionally Clars will purchase an entire estate.

Send Us Photos
You can mail or email photos to Clars Auction Gallery by addressing them to info@clars.com or mail them to Appraisals, Clars Auction Gallery, 5644 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, CA 94609.

If possible, include measurements and 2-3 photos of the piece from various perspectives.

Because of the large volume of requests we receive, we can only give estimates on 2-3 items per person via mail or email. We can not give jewelry appraisals based on photos. All estimates based on photos may change, once we actually see the items.

If you’re primarily interested in whether we will accept your items for auction, you may include photos of up to 15 of what you consider to be the best or most representative items, with a description of what other items you have.

We prefer to get your phone number and email address in case we have additional questions.

Attend an Appraisal Sessions
Appraisal Sessions are held every Thursday from 9 to noon, except on holidays. There is a sign-up list as you enter, with clients seen on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Clars will give verbal appraisals for up to 5 items per person. Although we prefer to see the actual item, these can be done based on photos, again with the stipulation that these estimates may change, once we actually see the items. There is a charge if a written appraisal is required.

Clars Auction Gallery generally tries to have a minimum value per consignment of $1200 overall, or $600 for a single item, although there are some exceptions.

Jewelry appraisals are normally given on the two Thursdays immediately following an auction. It’s best to call ahead to assure the jewelry expert is there.

Schedule an Appraiser to make a Visit
If you have either just a few items, or live far away, we prefer that you utilize one of the options mentioned above initially. Based on this information, we can make a decision on scheduling an appraiser for a visit.

There are two types of visits Clars’ appraisers may make.

The first, which comprises roughly 95% of all visits made, is called a Courtesy Look, for which there is no charge. In this situation, the appraiser will take a quick walk through the home, apartment, or business. If requested, they’ll be happy to give verbal estimates on a couple of the items, if they can, but will not give estimates on each item. They will discuss which items make sense for auction and which don’t, and sometimes they can give a global estimate what the entire collection/estate might bring.

The second visit is an Appraisal, for which Clars Auction Gallery charges $250 the first hour, $150 each additional hour. This includes one hour of travel time. There may be additional time required for research on some items. How long this takes, in addition to the numbers of items and the research involved in determining their value, may depend on how much detail is required (i.e. does the client require estimates on every single item, or perhaps only those worth more than $100?), and whether the items are easy to view, or need to be pulled out of drawers and closets.

Generally, Clars’ staff doesn’t do appraisals for insurance purposes, divorces, donations or business evaluations, but may refer the client to one or more specialist appraisers.

Consignment Information

Consignment Agreement
Below is our general consignment agreement, which may be modified to meet the consignor’s specific needs.

COMPENSATION: For our services in selling your personal property at auction we will be entitled to retain from the proceeds as our compensation an amount based upon the final bid price of each item sold and calculated as follows:

The commission includes all normal expenses of sale except for transportation and packing charges as set forth in paragraph 5 below. In addition, a premium of eighteen and a half percent (18.5%) of each individual auction lot shall be added to the purchase price and paid by the buyer as a part of the purchase price. An additional
2 1/2% will be charged to online bidders to cover the costs Clars incurs for the online bidding. This sum shall also be collected and retained by us additional compensation to us.

2. PAYMENT TO CONSIGNOR: Payment to consignor for items sold will be made within thirty (30) working days, after items are sold. In the event that buyer fails to remit payment for the consigned property, we shall attempt to collect the sums due, at our discretion. If we are unsuccessful in collecting the full amount due, we reserve the right to rescind the sale and re-offer the consigned property at a subsequent sale.

3. SERVICES RENDERED: We shall undertake to sell your personal property at public auction to the highest competitive bidder. We reserve the right, in our absolute discretion, to determine the method and manner of getting your personal property from any particular sale and schedule it for some subsequent sale, to determine whether and in what manner to advertise your personal property or the sale at which it shall be without reserve or limits, We will bear the cost of any advertising of your personal property. The CONDITIONS OF SALE printed in our auction catalogues constitute our agreement with the buyer at auction. You authorize us to accept the return, and rescind the sale, of any property at any time if we, in our judgment, determine that selling the property may subject us and/or you to any liability, including any liability arising from claims relating to any attribution or identification of authorship, period, culture, source of origin physical condition, size, quality, rarity, importance, authenticity (including counterfeit), or other information included in any description of the property.

4. SALE: At present we anticipate that your personal property will be sold at a sale(s) presently scheduled for (date).

5. PACKING AND TRANSPORATION: If you wish Clars to pack and transport your items, there is a charge for this service. Please speak with one of our expert appraisers for more information on packing and transport fees. Charges for packing and transportation will be deducted from the final proceeds of the sale.

6. LEGAL STATUS AND OWNERSHIP: Unless you otherwise indicate, by signing this agreement you are hereby representing that you are the owner of the personal property described on the attached schedule and have the right and authority to authorize us to sell the same. If you are acting as agent for some other party who does not sign this agreement, please indicate you are an agent and the name of the owner when signing this agreement. By signing as an agent, you are representing to us that you have the authority and power to authorize and sell the same for the principal and that your principal shall be, along with you, jointly and severally liable for your obligations and liabilities hereunder. In either case, you agree to defend, indemnify and hold us harmless from any and all costs, expenses, liabilities and damages, including reasonable attorney's fees, that we may suffer or incur as a result of any claims made that you did not have authority to sign this agreement and/or authorize us to sell the personal property.

7. SECURITY INTERESTS: You hereby grant us a security interest in the personal property to secure payment of any sums which may become due to us under the terms of this agreement. We shall have all the rights of a secured party under the laws of the State of California.

8. OWNERSHIP OF SELLER: CLARS AUCTION GALLERY/HARVEY CLARS ESTATE AUCTION GALLERY is a business name used by C.R. MARTIN AUCTIONEERS, INC., a California corporation which owns and operates the business. C.R. MARTIN AUCTIONEERS, INC. dba HARVEY CLARS ESTATE AUCTION GALLERY is licensed and regulated by the California Secretary of State. There is a bond on file with the Secretary of State.

9. LIMITATION OF DAMAGES: Your payment of the insurance fee makes us responsible for loss by theft, fire or other means (subject to the usual form of exclusions including but not limited to earthquake, flood, and acts of war). In the event that your personal property is damaged or destroyed, your sole remedy with respect to such damage or loss shall be either the repair or replacement of the damaged or lost property or, at our choice, payment to you of the fair market value of the damaged or lost property at the time of damage or loss.

10. ENTIRE CONTRACT: This document together with any schedule or schedules attached to it contains the entire agreement between us relating to our mutual rights and obligations. Any oral representations or modifications concerning our agreement or this document shall be of no force or effect except as may subsequently be reduced to writing.

11. GOVERNING LAW: The validity of this agreement and of any of its terms or provisions, as well as the rights and obligations of the parties under this agreement shall be interpreted pursuant to and in accordance with the laws of the State of California.

12. ARBITRATION OF DISPUTES: The parties agree that any dispute or claim in law or equity arising between them out of the subject of this agreement in which the sum in the dispute exceeds $5,000 shall be decided by neutral, binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association pertaining to arbitration of commercial disputes. The arbitration fees and costs shall be equally divided among the parties. Judgment upon the award of the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.